CHAPTER CANDIDATES
THECATHEDRALCHURCHOFST.PETER
MEET THE CANDIDATES
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19 AT 11:30 AM
ANNUAL MEETING
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 AT 11:30 AM
Four new members will be elected at the Annual Meeting after the 10:15 am service on January 26 to serve three-year terms on the Chapter, the lay board of directors that, with the dean, sets policy, monitors the finances, and oversees the spiritual welfare of the congregation.
We will also hold a Meet the Candidates Forum during coffee hour on January 19, when you will have a chance to hear the candidates respond to questions. (Additional candidates may come forward by petition through January 5 )
The newly elected Chapter members will succeed the four members whose terms are ending: Senior Warden Lucas Fleming, Junior Warden Susan Darrow, Treasurer Mark Myers, and Wil Laroche. Mark will continue as treasurer, a position that does not require membership on the Chapter
At the Annual Meeting we will hear a budget presentation and a “state of the Cathedral” talk, conduct the election, and enjoy a slide show of activities over the last year
We will also give thanks to all who have made a faith filled financial commitment to the Cathedral. We’ll celebrate with a special treat: Remember the delicious apple strudel from Café Mozart that we traditionally serve at our Oktoberfest dinner? Oktoberfest was canceled because of Hurricane Helene, but we’ll enjoy (freshly baked!) strudel as we acknowledge our generous donors
Prayers for the Cathedral Chapter
Almighty and everlasting God, you have given the gifts of leadership and service to those in your Church who guide the care and keeping of our parish. Be present with those who serve on our Chapter, that their committed hearts may be fixed upon you. Grant them wisdom to notice the cares and concerns of this community, trust to follow your guidance when answers are not easy, and the knowledge and love of you to be ever-present in their discussions and decisions. Through Christ our Lord we offer our prayers to you. AMEN.
Almighty God, give us a new vision of you, of your love, of your grace and power; and then, give us a new vision of what you would have us do as your church in this congregation at this time. Give us an awareness that in the strength of your Spirit we can do it to your glory. In Jesus’ Name we pray AMEN
Prayer of St. Brendan (Irish Contemplative) Lord, I will trust You. Help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown Give me the faith to leave old ways and break fresh ground with You. Christ of the mysteries, I trust You to be stronger than each storm within me. I will trust in the darkness and know that my times, even now, are in Your hand Tune my spirit to the music of heaven, and somehow, make my obedience count for You.
*ResourcesfromtheDioceseofKansas
SARAH ALBERT
Member since 2011
Family at the Cathedral: My husband, Anthony, and our four children: Maggie (14), Abigail (12), Sam (9), and Caroline (7). My parents, Rosanne and Mark Welshimer, aren’t officially members (they’re snowbirds), but they often attend services with us when they’re in town.
Occupation: I worked in management consulting prior to deciding to stay home with my children. I started my career at Accenture in Washington, DC, supporting Federal government clients in a variety of capacities. After business school, I joined Deloitte Consulting in New York and Boston, supporting healthcare clients with various healthcare reform initiatives I then worked part-time for a few years as a recruiter for a small management consulting firm. I have been home full-time for the past eight years.
Involvement at St. Peter’s: Finance Committee member; former treasurer; Endowment Committee chair; chauffeur to Confirmation class, EYC, EYSeedlings, Messy Church, etc.
Community involvement: Florida Resurrection House board member and secretary since 2020
SarahandherdaughterMaggieataCathedralreception
Called to serve: I enjoyed my first stint on Chapter several years ago, and I learned a lot from that experience The Cathedral faces many challenges today— some the same, and some new, but the need for level-headed, collaborative lay leaders remains. I’m happy to serve and happy to be able to be a representative for our Cathedral families We have so many wonderful programs for the children and youth of the Cathedral, and I want to make sure those programs and the people who run them remain wellsupported
Do for fun? I mostly drive my children from here to there and watch a lot of soccer games, which I love. Anthony and I enjoy traveling and try to sneak away once every few years for a winetasting trip (We have a habit of leaving during hurricanes, so next time you hear we’re planning a trip, you might want to go ahead and evacuate!) I love walking and try to make time to walk with a friend at least twice a week. I also love the NYT Crossword and Spelling Bee
Read / watch / binge / stream: I love to get lost in a good novel, and audiobooks keep me company in the car when I’m not catching up on the news. My favorite book this year was The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese I tried to claim the miniseries A Gentleman in Moscow (loved the book!) as a show to watch by myself, but my kids caught me and liked it, so now we’re watching it as a family (and breaking the “you have to read the book first” rule) We also watch Shark Tank, The Great British Baking Show, and old episodes of MacGyver and Gilmore Girls
Sarah(right)connectswithotherparents duringMessyChurcheachmonth
St. Peter’s at its best: Over the past 10+ years, I’ve seen so many examples of St Peter’s shining— emerging from crushing debt and its tough ramifications, navigating divisive political times, shepherding the congregation through the pandemic when we could not worship in person the list goes on But truly, St Peter’s is at its best every Sunday when we welcome worshipers, new and old, into the Cathedral. It was this warm, welcoming environment that led us to make the Cathedral our church home, and I’m so glad we did
Skills, experience, abilities, training that will contribute to the work of the Chapter: My management consulting experience and work as treasurer and Endowment Committee chair equip me well to oversee the finances of the Cathedral. The most important skills I took away from my working years are communications, teamwork, and thinking through problems in a logical way. I am able to appreciate the gifts of others and collaborate with people who have styles, strengths, and beliefs that are different from my own Given the dynamics of my household and family, I’ve had quite a bit of experience with conflict management, and I’m told I have a lot of patience
Member since July 2022, although I’ve been attending regularly since March 2019.
Occupation: economic analyst with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
Involvement at St. Peter’s: 20s/40s group; lector; Eucharistic visitor; usher Lead organizer of “Second Cup,” a Sunday-morning gathering that will start in February for 20s/40s to unpack the lectionary readings for that Sunday and check in with each other
Community involvement: served as the vice president of the Azalea Neighborhood Association in 2019.
Called to serve: I’ve prayed about serving on the Chapter I hope that God will use my involvement to date at St Peter’s to allow me to provide recommendations on ways that God wants the Cathedral to build in the future in order to respond to the growing and changing needs of the Cathedral and surrounding community Signsofthewelcoming,vibrant,andengagingcongregationthatMattfindssoinviting
Mattatarecent20s40strivianight.Matthasbeen vitalinthegrowthofthe20s40sgroup.
Skills, experience, abilities, training that will contribute to the work of the Chapter: In my job, I work closely with people from different disciplines (marine biology, law, anthropology, law enforcement, etc ), so it helps me recognize that people bring various strengths to the table We work in teams in my job, and when I’m in a leadership role, I’m required to facilitate communication and recognize differing viewpoints. As an economist, I am familiar with math and finances.
Do for fun: I like to travel, kayak, spend time at the beach, attend Rowdies soccer games, and cook
Read/watch/binge/stream: In the fall, I’m always watching SEC football games, especially my Georgia Bulldogs, on Saturdays.
St. Peter’s at its best: Whenever I see the clergy and congregation actively engaging with and welcoming newcomers to the church, both before and after Sunday service That inviting approach captures one of the aspects I love most about St Peter’s
November2025
MARILYN POLSON
Member since the early 2000s.
Family at the Cathedral: Herb (husband). Amanda Polson, Camilo, Julian and Gabriel Cotrino (daughter, son-in-law, grandsons) Hilary, Joe, Gavin and Gwennan Sosa (daughter, son-in-law, grandson, granddaughter).
Occupation: public school teacher (nine years), then lawyer (30 years), now retired
Involvement at St. Peter’s and at other churches: St. Vincent’s Episcopal Church –vestry member, preschool committee, senior warden, Sunday School teacher St Peter’s – Stewardship Committee, Legacy subcommittee, Legacy Society, prior Children’s Chapel volunteer, prior VBS volunteer, Resurrection House supporter, Campbell Park supporter, Estate Planning and Advance Directives presentation to St. Peter’s members.
Community involvement: Volunteer voting rights lawyer, Community Law Program volunteer, CASA board of directors, CASA board of trustees, USF Library Special Collections volunteer
MarilynPolson(farleft)withhusbandHerb;Amanda,Camilo,JulianandGabrielCotrino; Hilary,Joe,GwennieandGavinSosa.
The Polson Family
St. Peter’s at its best: After the mortgage was paid off The way the congregation stepped up to meet the challenge issued by the bank and finding a solution to the debt by turning the unfinished parish building into an office condominium
Called to serve: Technically, I was “called to serve” by Treasurer Mark Myers, who succinctly discussed the importance of Chapter decisions over the next three years Thinking overnight about the Chapter needs helped me decide that this service was something I wanted to contribute to the Cathedral
Skills, experience, abilities, training that will contribute to the work of the Chapter: Legal training and experience – 30 years (Florida Bar board certified in wills, trusts, and estates prior to retirement in 2018), lifelong Episcopalian, prior vestry experience.
Do for fun: Traveling, reading, playing with my grandchildren, dinners with friends, neighborhood Friday night outside gatherings, Sunday night family dinners and board games
Read / watch / binge / stream: Read – fiction, history, Florida subject matter
Watch – news, Jeopardy, Rays baseball, Survivor, Lightning hockey games, documentaries. Stream – Ted Lasso, Lincoln Lawyer, Bosch, Suits, The Diplomat, Nobody Wants This, Bridgerton, Outlander, Victoria (PBS).
November2025
PETER YELTON
PeterYelton(center)wasawardedOutstandingSchool VolunteerforPinellasCountyatNortheastHigh Schoolin2023
Member since: 2018.
Family at the Cathedral: my husband, Joseph Cummings.
Occupation: Professionally I am a clinical social worker. I retired as supervising social worker with the Bellmore-Merrick (Long Island, NY) schools in 2001 Presently I am in private practice, specializing in trauma and addiction Since 9/11, I have been working with the Fire Department of New York treating complex PTSD for first responders.
Called to serve: I feel honored to serve and to deepen my commitment to my spiritual home, reaching out and sharing the experience with others in our parish and beyond. My experience working as a community organizer seems to be a good fit, especially with our outreach ministries Working with the Chapter is where I feel I can be of service.
Community involvement: Rebuilding a fitness center and creating a group guidance program at the Police Athletic League in Lealman. I also do volunteer work with the special-needs students at Northeast and Gibbs high schools and in 2023 was named Outstanding Senior Volunteer of the Year at Northeast High School. I have been serving as a board member and program consultant at Florida Resurrection House.
Do for fun: I enjoy various fitness activities, especially long-distance road biking. I reluctantly hung up the rollerblades last year I listen to various podcasts and enjoy reading and soulful conversations with close friends.
Cathedral at its best: in the last several weeks A robust personal response to the two disaster hurricanes, the deep grounding experience of the All Souls’ Day service, an invitation to prayer on Election Day, and a most poignant sermon on the Sunday after the election The result: I feel more deeply connected and ready to serve.
Skills, experience, abilities, training that will contribute to the work of the Chapter: Served on the board of LIGAY (Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth). Facilitated programs for the larger medical and mental-health community Served on the board of the Metropolitan Community Church in New York City and chaired the HIV-AIDS ministry. AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod: Board member for six years, vice president for four
I am very familiar with the network of social-service agencies in Tampa Bay and can easily provide references to the clergy or others to help us make connections and serve our congregation and the community better.
My professional training as a community organizer has given me vast experience working with people around complex issues, program development, and execution Team-building is the underpinning of this process One of my strengths is forming solid relationships with people I am working with. I am told my enthusiasm and energy are contagious I feel that bringing fun and joy is an essential part of community-building Combining these assets with a deep spiritual commitment and hunger to grow seems to be a wonderful fit.
THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. PETER
WORSHIP AT THE CATHEDRAL
Sunday 8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I & Sermon
10:15 am Holy Eucharist Rite II & Sermon
Wednesday 12:05 pm Midweek Holy Eucharist & Healing Service
4th Sunday 5:00 pm Choral Evensong (September-April except December)
DIOCESE
OF
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
The Right Rev. Douglas F. Scharf, Bishop
The Rev. Canon Richard H. Norman, Canon to the Ordinary
CATHEDRAL CLERGY & STAFF
The Rev. Canon Michael R. Alford, Canon for Congregational Care
The Rev. Canon Brandon Peete, Canon for Hospitality
The Rev. Deacon Hillary Peete, Director of Christian Formation & Digital Communications
Mr. Dwight M. Thomas, Canon for Music & Precentor
The Right Rev Barry R Howe, Bishop in Residence
Carla Escobar, Custodian
Andi Gorton, Publications
Nana Paultre, Hospitality Associate
Michael Ricciardi, Building & Grounds Coordinator
Michelle Thomas, Cathedral Administrator & Associate for Christian Formation
Fontana CPAs (Eric Fontana), CFO/Bookkeeping
140 Fourth Street N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 www.spcathedral.org ▪ (727) 822‐4173 facebook.com/spcathedral @spcathedral
